Fashion
Why the Coach Tabby Makes the Perfect Entry-Level Luxury Investment
As seen on celebs like Liza Soberano, Kyline Alcantara, and more.
Published on Jun 9, 2025
Making your first designer purchase is never an easy decision. Between considerations like cost-per-wear, durability, day-to-night adaptability, and how seamlessly it aligns with your personal aesthetic, the decision requires careful thought.
That brings us to the perennial question: What makes a truly smart, entry-level designer purchase?
When everything is taken into account, the ideal piece should feel rewarding— a staple that will elevate your wardrobe without necessarily overwhelming it. And once you finally commit, you’ll know you’ve taken a confident first step into the realm of luxury fashion.
If you find yourself at this crossroads, allow us to introduce a purse that might just fit the bill: the Coach Tabby. Beloved for its understated elegance and approachable price tag, the Tabby has emerged as a favorite among style-savvy shoppers entering the designer space. Particularly adored by the Gen Z fashion folk, its charm lies in its sleek silhouette, structured yet not rigid, cleanly designed in soft leather and free from overt logos.
Inspired by archival Coach designs from the 1970s, the Tabby captures the brand’s heritage, and keeps up to date with the current sartorial zeitgeist that’s all for subtle and classic design.
Read on to learn more about Coach’s Tabby Bag.
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What Is the Coach Tabby Bag
Rooted in Coach’s New York DNA, creative director Stuart Vevers revisited the house’s archival designs from its 1970s-era designs, a period where the brand was known for its rectangular shapes, textured leathers, and subtle use of branding. The vision has since resulted in what is now the modern-day Tabby.
Debuted at the brand’s Fall 2019 presentation at New York Fashion Week, the bag was unveiled with a sharp silhouette, single flap closure, and a gold-tone “C” emblem, a detail that’s instantly recognizable yet tastefully discreet. Originally designed as a top-handle, it has since been reinvented in a variety of finishes and materials: from the dreamy Pillow Tabby to the tactile Quilted version and the surrealist Twisted Tabby.
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The Coach Tabby from the Fall/Winter 2019 campaign. PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/COACH
Crafted from durable pebbled leather on the outside, the bag opens to a fully-lined interior practically sectioned into two zippered compartments and multifunctional pockets. It also comes with two interchangeable leather straps that allow for versatile wear: crossbody, over the shoulder, or by hand. Whether paired with tailored eveningwear or a casual off-duty ensemble, its composed form and elegant hardware easily pulls up any type of outfit.
Details of the Coach Tabby 26. PHOTOS: COACH
What are the different versions of the Coach Tabby?
The classic Tabby Shoulder Bag
The original Tabby is available in two sizes. The smallest, at 20 cm long, 11 cm tall, and 7 cm wide, is ideal for stashing in the bare essentials. The slight larger size 26, on the other hand offers a bit more room with dimensions of 26 cm in lengtg, 15 in height, and 8 cm in depth.
Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 in Signature White Canvas, SGD 695 (approximately P30,186.98), COACH, singapore.coach.com
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Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Tan Rust, P40,500, COACH, rustans.com
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Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Black, SGD 895 (approximately P38,873.88), COACH, singapore.coach.com
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The Chain Tabby
This edition swaps one of the classic straps for a bold, detachable chain-link strap— a detail that can seamlessly double as jewelry. Made with supple grain leather, it has a softer, more relaxed profile than the original design.
Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag 35 in Black, P61,500, COACH, trunch.ph
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Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag 30 in Chalk, P51,500, COACH, trunch.ph
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Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag 30 in Brown, P51,500, COACH, trunch.ph
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The Tabby with Quilting
If you’re into something with a little more texture, the version with the quilted exterior might be exactly what you’re looking for. Made from plush, ultra-soft Nappa leather, the bag is finished with a long leather chain strap, which you adjust to your desired length.
Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 with Quilting in Buff, P47,500, COACH, rustans.com
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Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 with Quilting in Buff, P47,500, COACH, rustans.com
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The Pillow Tabby
This version is arguably the most well-loved iteration of the Tabby. Made primarily of nappa leather, the exterior’s cushioning is crafted from spongy filler fibers, similar to those used in standard pillows.
Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 in Chalk, P33,500, COACH, trunc.ph
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Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag LH/Soft Purple, P33,500, COACH, rustans.com
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Twisted Tabby
An imaginative riff on the original, the Twisted Tabby plays with asymmetry and fluid lines. Inspired by Surrealist art, this offbeat design is crafted from glovetanned leather, and even features a warped Signature hardware as its magnetic clasp.
Twisted Tabby Shoulder Bag in Blue, RP 11,790,000 (approximately P40,472.24), COACH, id.coach.com
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Twisted Tabby Shoulder Bag in Moonlight, RP 11,790,000 (approximately P40,472.24), COACH, id.coach.com
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Twisted Tabby Shoulder Bag in Fuschia, RP 11,790,000 (approximately P40,472.24), COACH, id.coach.com
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Where to Shop the Coach Tabby in the Philippines
Exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. in the country, you can find the brand in-store at Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Makati, Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, City of Dreams, and Rustan’s Cebu. For online purchases, head over to trunc.ph or rustans.com.
Filipino Gen Z Celebrities Wearing Their Coach Tabby Bags
Liza Soberano, Kyline Alcantara, Claudia Barretto, Angelina Cruz, Rere Madrid, and Janella Salvador. PHOTOS: Instagram/lizasoberano, itskylinealcantara, claudia, and courtesy of SSI.
Pau is Preview’s go-to fashion girl. On most days, you’ll find her with headphones on, coffee in hand, and likely dressed in an oversized blazer and floor-grazing jeans.